Need something to do today, but on a tight budget? Check out this round-up of free or low cost upcoming and ongoing events in the Corpus Christi area.

Sparkling City Chorus of Sweet Adelines concert

The Sparkling City Chorus of Sweet Adelines presents a Friends and Family Night Concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 at Parkway Presbyterian Church, 3707 Santa Fe St. Enjoy barbershop-style singing as the chorus prepares for their regional contest competition. Cost: Free. Information: https://sweetadelines.net.

Museum Talks after Dark

The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History presents Museum Talks After Dark at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19 at 1900 N. Chaparral St. This month’s presentation is panel discussion “Beyond Being First” with Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales and Citgo vice president and general manager Trina Martinez. Hors d'oeuvres and wine. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-4667 or http://www.ccmuseum.com/.

Activities at Mustang Island State Park

Mustang Island State Park offers several programs in March at 17047 state Hwy. 361. “Shipwrecked: Can you survive on a deserted island?” is from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, March 13, 20, 27 and Saturday, March 30. Kayaking 101 is offered Friday, March 15; Saturday, March 16 and Saturday, March 23 (RSVP required at eric.ehrlich@tpwd.texas.gov); “Backyard Bass” for kids is 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, March 14 and Friday, March 22. “Ask a Ranger” is from 2-3:30 p.m. Saturdays, March 16 and March 23. Cost: Free for programs; $5 per visitor (12 and under free). Information: 361-749-5246 or https://www.facebook.com/MustangIslandSP/.

‘Hardscape in your Landscape’ at South Texas botanical gardens

Gill Landscape Nursery Designer Phillip Ebert presents the seminar “Name that Wildflower” from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 2 at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St. Learn how to blend rock, stone, pathways, sculpture, fencing and shade options to make your landscape more creative, attractive, functional and water-wise. Cost: members free; for nonmembers class is included in general admission or attend just the class for $2. Information: 361-852-2100, www.stxbot.org.

The second annual “Corpus Christi, You’re Our Gem” concert will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at Neyland Public Library, 1230 Carmel Pkwy. Featuring a performance of the original song “Corpus Christi You’re Our Gem” by the Corpus Christi Song choir, composed by Cathy Harrison. Reception will follow the concert. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-2370 or http://www.cclibraries.com/.

See & Show Book Club at Neyland library

The Neyland See & Show Book Club meets at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 25 at Neyland Public Library, 1230 Carmel Pkwy. Share your crafts and see others. UFOs welcome. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-2370 or http://www.cclibraries.com/.

New Music Symposium Chamber Music Concert at Del Mar

A chamber music concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 25 at Wolfe Recital Hall in Del Mar’s Fine Arts Center, Ayers at Kosar streets. Featuring works by renowned composer James Ogburn, the guest artist’s work embodies synthesis and is emblematic of today’s cross fertilization of styles. The program will also feature world premiere performances of works commissioned by DMC faculty and ensembles. Cost: Free. Information: 361-698-1619 or rpetersen@delmar.edu.

American Music Recital with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia

An American Music Recital with Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia members begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27 at Wolfe Recital Hall in Del Mar’s Fine Arts Center, Ayers at Kosar streets. Enjoy American music featuring student and faculty Sinfonians. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is the largest music fraternity in the world with a chapter at Del Mar College among those located at over 200 college campuses. Cost: Free. Information: 361-698-1214.

ONGOING

Art & Hobbies

FAMILY ART: The Art Center of Corpus Christi, 100 N. Shoreline Blvd., hosts family art time from 5-7 p.m. Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Unplug, make art and make a memory together. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost: Free. Information: 361-884-6406 or www.artcentercc.org.

ANTIQUE & COLLECTIBLES CLUB: The Gulf Coast Antique and Collectibles Club meets at 7 p.m. every third Monday of the month at Lindale Senior Center, 3135 Swantner Drive. Meetings are open to the public and guests are welcome. Bring a Show and Tell item to share with the group. Cost: Free. Information: 361-815-5486.

Comedy

OPEN MIC: Comics Live Downtown hosts open mic comedy night hosted by Javi Luna at 9 p.m. every Thursday at Comics Live Downtown inside Bella Luna, 429 Schatzell St. Sign up online or at the venue. Enjoy $2 Bud Light and $5 pizzas. Cost: Free. Information: 361-434-4290 or www.facebook.com/ComicsLive.

Outdoors & Nature

ORCHID CARE: The Orchidology Class meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center, 8545 S. Staples St. The class series is taught by Orchid Conservatory volunteers and is an ongoing orchid information exchange for novice to experienced growers. Cost: Free. Information: www.stxbot.org.

PARROT TALK: The South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center’s Parrot Talk will be open to guests at 1:30 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, in the Tropical Garden, behind the Bromeliad House, 8545 S. Staples St. Cost: Free with admission. Information: 361-852-2100, www.stxbot.org.

WALKING TOURS: The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce and Healthy South Texas now offer historical walking tour maps of Rockport and Fulton. Maps include a scavenger hunt with a prize. Maps available at Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center, 319 Broadway St., Rockport. Cost: Free. Information: 361-790-0103.

NATURE WALK: Ivy Lane Wildlife & Birding Site, 489 Ivy Lane, Rockport, hosts guided native plant walks at 9 a.m. the first Saturday of every month. Participants will learn how the native plants there support birds, butterflies, and other wildlife and what’s blooming from season to season. Cost: Free. Information: 361- 790-0194 or www.aransaspathways.com.

The Orchidology Class meets at 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the South Texas Botanical Gardens & Nature Center.(Photo: Caller-Times file)

NATURE WALK: Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center, 2446 N. Oso Parkway, offers guided nature walks at 8 a.m. Tuesdays and 9 a.m. Saturdays. Join us as we explore the trails with different nature topics each week. Binoculars and field guides are loaned on a first-come first-serve basis. Bring good walking shoes, plenty of water and dress for the weather. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-3311, www.osopreserve.com.

WILDLIFE REFUGE TOUR: The Welder Wildlife Foundation and Refuge offers free tours to the public at 3 p.m. every Thursday at 10429 Welder Wildlife, Sinton. Tours begin at the foundation’s main headquarters and museum which houses an array of south Texas wildlife and artwork. Visitors then take a 10-mile tour of the refuge through a variety of habitats ranging from upland mesquite-mixed-grass communities to freshwater wetland lakes. Many species of birds and wildlife are generally seen on these tours. Cost: Free. Information: 361-364-2643 or http://welderwildlife.org.

LIBRARY PLAY ZONE: Neyland Public Library, 1230 Carmel Pkwy., offers Play Zone at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Parents/caregivers and kids interact and learn together while connecting with other families. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-2370 or www.cclibraries.com.

READY READERS STORY TIME: Neyland Public Library, 1230 Carmel Pkwy., offers Ready Readers Story Time at 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Designed for ages 3-5, children learn numbers, colors, shapes and other cognitive skills through stories, songs, and finger plays. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-2370 or www.cclibraries.com.

Several area libraries offer free story times for babies, toddlers and preschoolers throughout the week.(Photo: Rachel Denny Clow/Caller-Times file)

MUSIC & MOTION: La Retama Central Library, 805 Comanche St., offers Kids’ Music & Motion at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Join us for music, dancing and fun with rhythm sticks, ribbons, parachute and instruments for ages 0-5. Followed by a story and unstructured play. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-7055 or www.cclibraries.com.

FAMILY MOVING & GROOVING: Garcia Public Library, 5930 Brockhampton St., offers Family Moving & Grooving at 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Join us for some fun with rhythm instruments, songs and a story for ages 3-6 years. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-2360 or www.cclibraries.com.

FAMILY STORY TIME: Hopkins Public Library, 3202 McKinzie Road, offers Family Storytime at 11:30 a.m. Thursdays. Enjoy stories, songs and finger plays for preschool-age children and their caregiver. Cost: Free. Information: 361-826-2350 or www.cclibraries.com.